Mercer Island (Formerly Mercer Island Physical Therapy)

Lia Buzzell earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from A.T. Still University. Prior to that, Lia obtained her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Western Washington University.

In her free time, Lia enjoys bouldering, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Douglas Free was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has spent most of his life here. He has been the director of Mercer Island Physical Therapy since 2001. He has worked diligently to provide the highest quality and most effective care possible, and in doing so has developed a strong reputation in the community and with referring doctors. He specializes in treating neck and back pain utilizing a variety of treatment approaches to best fit the needs of the individual patient.  This includes, but is not limited to, the teachings of Robin McKenzie, also known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. He enjoys family activities with his wife and two children including snow skiing, swimming, and walking the dog. He is also a lacrosse coach for Newport Lacrosse Club.

Education:

• Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Zoology from Central Washington University, 1993
• Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California, 1999

Organizations:

• American Physical Therapy Association

Kim received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology from Washington State University. Following school she moved to Southern California and worked as an escrow officer for several years. Her passion for patient care lead her to return to the northwest and pursue her Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Green River Community College. While in school, Kim worked as a caregiver for a woman with brain cancer and another woman with MS. She has clinical experience in skilled nursing, assisted living, and inpatient physical therapy settings. She participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the cure Breast Cancer walk. In her free time, Kim enjoys working out, snowboarding, wake-boarding, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.

Education:

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology from Washington State University
• Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Green River Community College

Elizabeth (Ellie) Ostrand grew up in Wisconsin and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin. She received her physical therapy degree at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She spent the first part of her career as a traveling physical therapist, moving from state to state and working in a variety of settings from hospitals to outpatient clinics.

Her passion has always been in outpatient physical therapy, and she is excited to join the RET team as a permanent therapist. She specializes in manual therapy techniques with personalized exercises to keep her patients moving in a safe and pain-free way.

Outside of the clinic, Ellie is an active member of the Seattle sand volleyball community and enjoys hiking, wakeboarding and travel. She also enjoys medical volunteer work both in the greater Seattle area and abroad in Haiti.